by Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY Sports

by Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY Sports

The Southern Illinois' men's basketball team became stranded on Interstate 57 in Illinois on Sunday night because of a blinding snowstorm.

Salukis coach assistant coach Anthony Beane Sr., who was with the team traveling home from Normal, Ill., following SIU's 66-48 loss to Illinois State, told USA TODAY Sports the bus driver decided to pull over to wait out the harsh conditions when the team was 2 hours away from Carbondale, but the bus became stuck when they attempted to pull out after a short stall. I-57 was closed, but a state trooper assured the team a tow would come eventually.

"Half of them were watching a movie, and half were sleeping," Beane said.

A tow truck finally arrived to free the stranded team members 5 1/2 hours later, but they were forced to spend the night sleeping in a church in Tuscola, Ill., because the roads were still too unsafe to drive back to Carbondale and no hotels were available in the nearest towns.